MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 16:41:44| >> :120:18142:18142:

Matt Grimes expecting interesting battle with Barnsley

The Swans finished one place and two points above Barnsley after 46 games.

Swansea skipper Matt Grimes admits Barnsley's "unique" playing style presents a difficult play-off challenge.

Barnsley finished one point above the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone last season, but the appointment of Valerien Ismael in October and the introduction of high-energy pressing tactics and a direct style transformed their fortunes.

The Tykes ended the 46-game campaign two points and one spot below fourth-placed Swansea and the sides meet in play-off action at Oakwell on Monday, with the return in south Wales on Saturday.

"They are certainly unique," midfielder Grimes said of Barnsley's approach. "They do play with high intensity, so we have to make sure we are ready for that.

"They have some very good players and a style that has hurt teams throughout the season. We just have to deal with it the best we can.

"They will want to press us and stop us playing, we will want to play through their press.

"It's a challenge for both teams and it will be an interesting match-up for sure."

Swansea beat Barnsley twice during the regular season, winning both games 2-0 on heavy winter pitches.

But Grimes does not read anything into those results, with conditions set to be completely different and limited crowds allowed to attend both games.

He said: "These play-off games stand on their own. The two games we had with them, the conditions and pitches were not ideal.

"Probably not as much football was played as there will be in the two legs coming up.

"I'm expecting different type of games, but there are things we need to take from the previous two to this one.

"But the two teams are in a completely different place to what we were in the season, so I don't think you can draw any conclusions from the two previous games.

"We'll also have fans at the games and we can't wait to play in front of the 'Jack Army' again.

"It gives me goosebumps just talking about it, but hopefully they can give us a real boost for the second leg."

Grimes was part of the Swansea side beaten by Brentford in the play-off semi-finals last season and much of Steve Cooper's squad that day remain at the club.

"The lads that were involved can use that feeling (of losing)," Grimes said. "You don't want to feel like that again.

"That can serve as motivation going into this one, but we have to be at the top of our game.

"This year we have gone from strength to strength as a team.

"We have had more points, more clean sheets, better defensive record, so from that point of view I do think we are better equipped this year."

ID:447702: cacheID:447702:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4107:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Swansea City manager Steve Cooper pictured in February 2021
Read Next:
Steve Cooper hopes playoff experience helps Swansea against Barnsley
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Portsmouth392411463323183
2Derby CountyDerby402461069353478
3Bolton WanderersBolton39228971432874
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough38218974462871
5Barnsley382011770482271
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd391891262521063
7Stevenage3917111151401162
8Lincoln CityLincoln3916131056332361
9Blackpool391791357421560
10Leyton Orient391610134444058
11Northampton TownNorthampton40158175160-953
12Wigan AthleticWigan39177155348550
13Wycombe WanderersWycombe381311145049150
14Bristol Rovers38148164857-950
15Exeter CityExeter39138183352-1947
16Charlton AthleticCharlton391015145758-145
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury39135212955-2644
18Reading39139175557-242
19Burton Albion39109203151-2039
20Cambridge UnitedCambridge38109193255-2339
21Port Vale3899203661-2536
22Cheltenham TownCheltenham3798203050-2035
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood39713194161-2034
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3959253569-3424


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!